Access equipment

ABSTRACT

Access equipment for fire fighting purposes including an articulated boom structure having two booms, the structure being mounted on a turntable attached to a vehicle, each boom having ladder means extending along its length, a further ladder being telescopically extendible from either end selectively of the outermost boom of the boom structure to extend the reach of the equipment for any operative position of the booms.

United States Patent [1 1 Ashworth [4 1 May 13,1975

1 1 ACCESS EQUIPMENT [75] Inventor: Denis Henry Ashworth, Dudley,

England [73] Assignee: Simon Engineering Dudley Limited,

Stockport, Cheshire, England 22 Filed: June 17, 1974 21 Appl. No.: 480,249

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data June 27, 1973 United Kingdom 30699/73 [52] US. Cl 182/2; 182/127 [51] Int. Cl B66f 11/04; E06c 5/04 [58] Field of Search 182/2, 127, 64-68,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,262,517 7/1966 Malec 182/2 3,396,814 8/1968 3,584,703 6/1971 Lane 3,800,912 4/1974 Ashworth 182/127 Primary Examiner-Reinaldo P. Machado Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Norris & Bateman [5 7] ABSTRACT Access equipment for fire fighting purposes including an articulated boom structure having two booms, the structure being mounted on a turntable attached to a vehicle, each boom having ladder means extending along its length, a further ladder being telescopically extendible from either end selectively of the outermost boom of the boom structure to extend the reach of the equipment for any operative position of the booms.

15 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures Gamett 182/2 PATENTEUHAYIBISYS 3 882 963 sum 10$ 2 PATENTED w I 3.882.963

SHEET 2 U? 2 ACCESS EQUEPMENT This invention concerns access equipment of the kind including an articulated boom structure mounted on a supporting structure such as a vehicle chassis and comprising a plurality of booms pivotally interconnected end to end, the outermost end of said boom structure being movable to an elevated position to provide access thereto.

Preferably, but not essentially, the boom structure comprises two booms pivotally interconnected end to end and adapted to be stowed substantially horizontally in superimposed relationship when not in use, there being a cage or working platform mounted at the outermost end of the boom structure with a leveling device adapted to maintain the cage or platform in a level attitude for all positions of the booms.

This kind of equipment is particularly useful for fire fighting and rescue purposes where access to elevated positions is required. In many instances it is of considerably importance to provide an escape facility whereby access to or escape from an elevated position is possible irrespective of the ability of raise and lower the boom structure.

This is especially important when large numbers of personnel are to be evacuated from an upper storey of a burning building as the cage or platform is too small for carrying such large numbers, and is also important as an escape facility for an operator in the cage or platform in the event of a breakdown of the control devices of the boom structure.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a continuous escape facility on the boom structure of access equipment of this kind.

Thus, according to the present invention there is provided access equipment including an articulated boom structure pivotally mounted at one end on a supporting structure for manipulation relative thereto, and comprising a plurality of articulated booms each of which is equipped with ladder means extending along its length, there being further ladder means telescopically extendible from either end of the outermost boom of the boom structure.

An embodiment of the invention will now be de scribed by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic side elevation of one form of access equipment made in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged section taken on line Illl of FIG. 1;

and FIG. 3 is a schematic end elevation of the equipment illustrating the boom structure in two operational positions.

The equipment generally comprises a vehicle 16) upon which is mounted a boom structure 11 having a first or lower boom 12 pivotally mounted at one end on an upward extension 13 of a turntable 14. A second or upper boom 15 is pivotally connected at one end to the free end of the boom 12 and thus forms the outermost boom carrying at its own free end a cage or working platform 16 for personnel.

The articulated boom structure so formed is capable of being manipulated from a stowed position with the two booms substantially horizontal and superimposed as indicated in FIG. 1, the second boom being stowed beneath the first, thus to raise the cage 16 to an elevated position. Hydraulic rams 22 are provided for causing pivotal movement of the boom relative to each other and relative to the extension 13 of the turntable 14. The rarns are actuated by suitable control valves positioned on the cage and on the vehicle.

A movable ladder 19 is mounted within the second boom 15 and is telescopically extendible linearly from each end thereof and supported thereby. Movement of the ladder 19 can be effected by an electric motor, for example. Ladder rungs 20 are fixed in spaced relationship along the booms 12 and 15.

A further movable ladder 21 which serves as a landing ladder is associated with the first boom 12 and is arranged when the boom structure is elevated, to extend downwardly from the lower end of the first boom to the ground as shown in FIG. 3. The ladder 21 may be slidably mounted relative to the boom 12 in a similar manner to the ladder 19 or it can be pivotally mounted at one end on the lower end of the first boom. Furthermore the ladder 21 may be detachable and stored when not in use on the vehicle.

Preferably, there is provided a nozzle or monitor 17 for emitting a jet of water or other fluid. Water can be supplied to the nozzle 17, for example, by a conventional flexible hose or be rigid pipes carried by the booms and connected by rotating pipe joints.

Means (not shown) are provided for maintaining the cage 16 level for all configurations of the boom structure.

Referring to FIG. 3, there are four general operational conditions which the boom structure can assume to provide a manual escape facility. The shortest escape facility is provided, with the boom 12 and 1S superimposed, by elevation of the first boom 12 to any required disposition within its permitted vertical and horizontal arc of movement. These arcs can be increased to provide a second condition by extending the movable ladder 19 from the end of the second boom remote from the cage 16, as indicated by the arrow X in FIG. 3.. The third condition is effected by retracting the ladder 19 within the boom 15 and by pivotally extending the boom 15 relative to the boom 12. A further increase to provide the fourth condition can then be effected by extending the movable ladder 19 from the end of the boom 15 adjacent the cage 16 as indicated by the arrow Y in FIG. 3.

it can be seen, therefore, that in any of these four basic conditions a continuous escape facility from the outermost end of the boom structure according to its disposition, is provided by the ladder 19 and/or the ladder rungs Zii, and if necessary, the ladder 21. The length to which the boom structure can be extended by the movable ladder is infinitely variable between limits determined by the length of the ladder.

Furthermore, an operator can be positioned in the cage or platform for operating the nozzle 17 to direct a bet of water or other fire fighting medium therefrom. Alternatively the nozzle 17 can be remotely controlled from the vehicle.

it will be appreciated that the reach provided by any boom structure is determined by the collective weight of the booms together with the weight of the cage and that of any personnel normally to occupy the latter, in relation to the weight and supporting capabilities of the vehicle, and this determination is made for a position of the boom structure creating the maximum potential instability. Thus, a two-boom arrangement would be provided on a vehicle capable of carrying such an arrangement and a three-boom arrangement would necessarily require a vehicle having a larger supporting area. The provision in this invention of a ladder telescopically extendible from the outer end of a two-boom arrangement extends the reach of the boom structure without the necessity of providing a larger than normal supporting vehicle, particularly for providing a continuous escape facility where it is normally unnecessary for personnel to occupy the cage, and where the outer end of the extendible ladder would usually rest against the side of a building.

It will be understood that the arrangement wherein the second boom is disposed beneath the first boom in the stowed position serves to enable the cage to be moved along a horizontal line from its stowed position to the full horizontal reach of the boom structure. Also with such a boom configuration there will always be, for all positions of the booms, a continuous escape facility without the necessity of providing a landing at the knuckle joint between the booms.

It is not intended to limit the invention to the above example only, many variations such as might readily tially horizontal direction and are superimposed with the outermost boom located beneath the other.

tially in end to end alignment 5. Access equipment according to claim 3 wherein the innermost end of said other boom is pivotally con-. nected to a turntable forming part of said supporting structure.

6. Access equipment according to claim 5 wherein said turntable is mounted on a vehicle chassis.

, cage or working platform is connected to the free end" occur to one skilled in the art being possible without departing from the scope of the invention.

For example, the ladder rungs 20, instead of being fixed to the booms themselves, may form part of separate ladder members disposed within the booms and, if desired, hinged relative thereto thus to stand off from the booms parallel thereto.

What is claimed is:

1. Access equipment including an articulated boom structure pivotally mounted at one end on a supporting structure for manipulation relative thereto, and comprising a plurality of articulated booms each of which is equipped with ladder means extending along its length, there being further ladder means telescopically extendible from either end of the outermost boom of the boom structure.

2. Access equipment according toclaim 1 wherein said boom structure consists of two booms.

7. Access equipment according to claim 1 wherein a of the outermost boom.

8. Access equipment according to claim 1 including a monitor mounted in the outermost end region of the outermost boom, there being means for the supply of fluids to said monitor along the length of the boom structure. 7

9. Access equipment according to claim 8 wherein said monitor isremotely operable. v 10. Access equipment according to claim 1 wherein drive means areprovided for said further ladder means.

11. Access equipment according to claim 10 wherein extension of said further ladder from said outermost boom is infinitely variable.

12. Access equipment according to claim 1 including a landing ladder adapted to extend from the supported 13. Access equipment according to claim 12 wherein Q Usaid landing ladder is telescopically extendible from 3. Access equipment according to claim 2 wherein said boom structure can be manipulated from a stowed position wherein the two booms extend in a substanwithin said innermost boom.

14. Access equipment according to claim 1 wherein said ladder means extending along each said boom and relative to the supporting structure is effected by means of hydraulic rams. 

1. Access equipment including an articulated boom structure pivotally mounted at one end on a supporting structure for manipulation relative thereto, and comprising a plurality of articulated booms each of which is equipped with ladder means extending along its length, there being further ladder means telescopically extendible from either end of the outermost boom of the boom structure.
 2. Access equipment according to claim 1 wherein said boom structure consists of two booms.
 3. Access equipment according to claim 2 wherein said boom structure can be manipulated from a stowed position wherein the two booms extend in a substantially horizontal direction and are superimposed with the outermost boom located beneath the other.
 4. Access equipment according to claim 2 wherein said boom structure can be manipulated to an extended position wherein the two booms are arranged substantially in end to end alignment.
 5. Access equipment according to claim 3 wherein the innermost end of said other boom is pivotally connected to a turntable forming part of said supporting structure.
 6. Access equipment according to claim 5 wherein said turntable is mounted on a vehicle chassis.
 7. Access equipment according to claim 1 wherein a cage or working platform is connected to the free end of the outermost boom.
 8. Access equipment according to claim 1 including a monitor mounted in the outermost end region of the outermost boom, there being means for the supply of fluids to said monitor along the length of the boom structure.
 9. Access equipment according to claim 8 wherein said monitor is remotely operable.
 10. Access equipment according to claim 1 wherein drive means are provided for said further ladder means.
 11. Access equipment according to claim 10 wherein extension of said further ladder from said outermost boom is infinitely variable.
 12. Access equipment according to claim 1 including a landing ladder adapted to extend from the supported end of the innermost boom of the boom structure to the ground or other landing surface.
 13. Access equipment according to claim 12 wherein said landing ladder is telescopically extendible from within said innermost boom.
 14. Access equipment according to claim 1 wherein said ladder means extending along each said boom comprises a plurality of spaced ladder rungs permanently fixed thereto.
 15. Access equipment according to claim 1 wherein pivotal movement fo the booms relative to each other and relative to the supporting structure is effected by means of hydraulic rams. 